All homes settle over time. Basement cracks and foundation cracks are often the result. There are effects of these settlement cracks in a home, and there are underlying effects that may result.
Settlement cracks can be a serious and unsuspected issue in a home’s structural stability. One of the causes of basement cracks and foundation cracks could be if a home was constructed on poorly compacted soil, causing sinking of the building.
There are additional causes of foundation cracks in your home as well. These can be the weight of the building causing the soil underneath it to compress, frequent or dramatic changes in the soil’s moisture which could create more space for the foundation to drop further into the ground, tree roots close to the foundation absorbing too much water from the soil at the foundation, and lastly, simply a poorly constructed home or foundation resulting in excessive settlement.
If soil settlement is uneven or extensive, a home foundation will become stressed and start to crack. Large cracks generally appear due to continuing motion that occurs over a long period of time. Foundation cracks will not only weaken the structure, they make it easier for water to enter the building. Water seepage can further damage the home, in addition to causing potentially serious health issues due to mold and mildew buildup.
For information on basement crack repair or questions on foundation cracks, contact A1 Foundation Crack Repair.
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